Musician Jackson tackles ‘silent disease’ of hunger

Actor-musician Tom Jackson’s Huron Carole tour, in support of Feed Nova Scotia, includes a show Thursday at Casino Nova Scotia.

Tom Jackson didn’t know The Huron Carol existed until he was 15 or 16.

Now the actor, singer, producer and activist is inextricably linked with the song that is believed to be Canada’s first Christmas carol.

Speaking by phone just before boarding a flight for Calgary, Jackson, the son of an English father and Cree mother, recalls how he was asked to perform The Huron Carol, written in 1641 by Father Jean de Brebeuf, in a concert called Christmas in a Global Village.

“I’ve been singing it ever since. The song has helped me change lives by virtue of our association with the name.”

For more than two decades, Jackson has been criss-crossing the country raising money for food banks with his Huron Carole Tour.

This year, the show stops at Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax on Thursday, Nov. 22, 8 p.m., for a benefit for Feed Nova Scotia.

Jackson will be joined by Sarah Slean and Susan Aglukark for a show of Christmas music and stories that may also feature special guests.

It’s the first Huron Carole tour since 2004. Beginning in 2005, Jackson toured smaller communities with his Singing for Supper tour, also benefiting the needy.

“This year more people are using food banks than ever before,” he says, noting he was made aware that shifting the focus to smaller communities had left some folks in need.

The concert is about bringing the spirit of giving to Halifax and to narrow the gap between the haves and the have-nots, he continues.

“Hunger is a silent disease. Those who can should stand up and shout and let others know there are those out there who need help.”

Jackson’s long been a fan of Slean’s music and now they have formed quite a friendship, he says, noting he’s been working with Aglukark for nearly two decades.

“She’s a very committed woman to causes near to my heart: education and issues surrounding First Nations communities and youth in particular.”

An Officer of the Order of Canada, Jackson has lived northwest of Calgary, surrounded by aspens and evergreens in a place he describes as paradise for the last nine years.

He released his 15th album, ’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime, in 2011 with Christmas tunes he has recorded over a number of years.

The first two singles are Christmas Wishes, which he once heard Anne Murray singing and thought it was wonderful, and Mystery Train, an original inspired by the CPR holiday train which he worked on for a number of years. The train is travelling from Quebec to the West Coast this year, stopping in more than 80 communities to raise money for the food banks.

He says he never tires of Christmas music.

“It only comes once a year,” he laughs.

And he says The Huron

Carol, written in an attempt to define the significance of Christmas to the Huron Indians “brings us to a very unique place as Canadians. It also triggers the imagination, allowing us to close our eyes and see the traditional nativity story in a different light.”

In Halifax, Jackson will perform 12 songs, at least four in an ensemble arrangement and Slean and Aglukark have been asked to picks four songs each.

Musical director Tom McKillip, who also plays guitar and sax, did arrangements for a band that includes Craig Bignell, percussion, Suzanne Levesque, bass, Brad Gordon, keyboards, and Darren Savard, guitar.

There will also be stories about Christmas.

“Not traditional stories, but stories of significance to me that are rooted in truth about experiences related directly to Christmas … that feel to me like emulating the spirit of Christmas.”

Jackson, who has raised approximately $200 million in combined cash/in-kind value for food banks and disaster relief, is on tour Nov. 21 to Dec. 20, so he won’t have much time for shopping.

Fortunately, the father of four has a tickle trunk which he fills throughout the year with gifts. Some are designated for people in particular and some are really good gifts with the recipient yet to be decided.

What is Jackson, whose acting credits include Shining Time Station, Star Trek: The Next Generation and North of 60, hoping to find under his tree?

“I don’t think I need anything, but if I had a choice, I’d pick something musical. I love collecting musical instruments, mostly guitars.

“I have my eye on a Gibson Les Paul electric — I don’t normally play electric,” he says, noting he hopes his wife Alison might read this article and pick up some shopping ideas.

Tickets are $45 and admission is limited to those 19 and over. Visit Ticket Atlantic www.ticketatlantic.com, 451-1221 or purchase at participating Atlantic Superstore outlets.